Moaning tugboat sound coming from front right wheel

[tmblackflag]

For the five years I've had my car I've always heard this sound. It happens when I brake to a complete stop and then roll forward slowly with my foot off the brake. It is worse when colder out.

I've replaced the calipers and bled the brakes. I don't believe the caliper is dragging and causing the noise and don't see any unusual wear on the rotor. The sound goes away if I tap the brake pedal.

I'm thinking it might be the wheel bearing going out as they are still original. Has anyone experienced this? The car has 100k miles.

[rick-l]

After doing all that you did and changing the hoses mine does that also

[James Brown]

pull the hubs, change the bearings, both sides, and seals, easy peasy. You already ruled out the brakes, not much left. Host has all the parts

[rick-l]

Did you experience these symptoms also?

[porschenut]

Those are the classic symptoms of a bad bearing. And after 100k miles, they are most definitely in need of replacement. Do both sides, inside and outside bearings and races.

[rick-l]

But if you coast to a stop and take off no noise. How is that the classic sign of a bad bearing?

[ted]

Could the master cylinder to brake pedal check rod be adjusted a bit too long?
There by dragging the brakes slightly?
Does your brake pedal have free play at the top before it engages the master cylinder?

Sometimes weaving back and forth can help replicate a wheel bearing noise.
Trying to figure exactly which wheel bearing is making the noise can be difficult.

[rick-l]

Can I check that by stepping on the brake and seeing what the play is? How much should it be?

I'll go out and check when I put cloths on. It is only 6 deg here.

It only makes a moaning noise for about a second as you pull away from a stop after releasing the brakes. I've just lived with it but I did try to fix it once like the original poster and if I knew what it was I would definitely fix it

[chrisbruck]

Originally Posted by rick-l

It only makes a moaning noise for about a second as you pull away from a stop after releasing the brakes. I've just lived with it but I did try to fix it once like the original poster and if I knew what it was I would definitely fix it

That doesn't sound like a wheel bearing to me. Typically they have a constant moan at moderate speed and change pitch when lightly turning left or right.

I bet it's still something brake related. Mine have done something similar but only when changing direction, say rolling backwards with brakes on and then pulling forward. Mine's obviously the pads shifting.

[chrisbruck]

New thought.... do you have the correct pads in the correct calipers? My thinking is you may have the wrong pad in their that's shifting enough to cause the noise after releasing the brakes and it moves back to it's static position.... just another thought.

[ted]

Originally Posted by rick-l

Can I check that by stepping on the brake and seeing what the play is? How much should it be?

This relates to my air cooled 911, can't speak for all cars.
Use your hand on the brake pedal to check the free play.
Measured at the top of the brake pedal it should have a half inch to 1 inch of free play before the check rod contacts the master cylinder.
I had incorrectly adjusted mine once with minimal free play and the pads could not knock back from the brake rotors.
That constant but slight rotor contact and extreme heat it created was visible on the pads being whitish and burnt.

[DRACO A5OG]

OP, PM me, I can take a look for you and let you know.

[tmblackflag]

Originally Posted by DRACO A5OG

OP, PM me, I can take a look for you and let you know.

PM sent.

[Dr DIY]

Replacement of bearings is so easy and cheap that I would do that simply to eliminate them from the mix. If the noise continues then go on from there. If you are not familiar with this simple DIY project you can see the step by step here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QcqqoDh2io

[jlex]

Sounds like the pads are dragging on that rotor. May be trying to hang up because your flex line is swelling shut and needs replaced. When you bleed the brakes, does fluid pass easily at that wheel? If not, replace the flex line. Does that rotor feel hotter than others after braking?

[CCM911]

Mine has done it for 15 years. I was told by our club members that it is the pads slightly contacting a slightly out of round rotor.

Never caused any harm.

[david.avrahami@]

I believe it is the ball joints not the wheel bearings...

[VMAX1]

My brakes were doing same noise. The retaining pins that you push thru the pads, that holds the pads in place, had a lot of dust build up. Used a wire brush to clean and rubbed some Sil-Glide on the pins. No more Moose moan. Here is a link of what I use.

NAPA AUTO PARTS

[timchar]

Put new brake pads, fixed my exact problem...Tim

[McLovin]

It's being caused by the brake pads dragging on the disc.

Why that's happening, you'll have to determine. The problem lies in the system somewhere between the brake pads and the brake pedal.